ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that in response to any Indian aggression, Pakistan will avoid targeting civilians and focus exclusively on military installations.
“Pakistan’s response to drone attacks is now certain and we will target Indian military installations.”
In an interview with a UK-based news agency, Asif remarked that the conflict between Pakistan and India has reached a stalemate, leaving no space for de-escalation, and described India’s attacks on civilian areas as an act of cowardice.
He also highlighted the Pakistan Air Force’s prompt and effective retaliation to India’s misadventure, claiming that five Indian jets were downed.
Asif criticised the competence of Indian pilots flying Rafale jets, asserting that their lack of skill has even negatively impacted the aircraft manufacturer.
He affirmed that Pakistan will now respond decisively to drone attacks by targeting Indian military sites. He also acknowledged the role of the international community, particularly the United States, in attempting to ease tensions between the two countries.
Asif further stated that India is attempting to erase its embarrassment through its recent actions and noted that international efforts are ongoing to restore peace in the region. He concluded by saying that Indian drone activity caused no harm to Lahore’s defence systems.
US leading global efforts to ease Pakistan-India tensions
The Defence Minister said that the United States is leading global efforts to reduce tensions between India and Pakistan.
India’s drone incursions into Pakistan on Thursday made Pakistan’s attack on India “increasingly certain”, Asif said.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said that the US is closely following the situation in South Asia.
He reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to peace and stability in the region amid the escalating tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz received a call from Secretary Rubio on Thursday evening.
During the conversation, Secretary Rubio noted that the United States was closely monitoring the situation in South Asia and reiterated Washington’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
Rubio urged both Pakistan and India to work together to de-escalate the situation, the statement said.
India’s attack kills 31 Pakistani civilians
Late on Tuesday, India launched air strikes targeting different cities in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan’s military said India targeted six locations, and at least 31 civilians were killed and 57 others injured in the strikes and cross-border firing along the Line of Control.
The Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters, including a number of check posts along the LoC, after New Delhi carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and AJK, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed.
In a press briefing, DG ISPR said Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia Bagh and Muridke were hit by Indian missiles. The DG ISPR said that the “cowardly” act will not go unpunished.
In an interview with CNN, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Indian media has itself admitted the crash of three aircraft in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Indian strikes targeted civilians, including women and children, which is a blatant violation of international law,” the Defence Minister added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in an address to the nation following India’s recent act of aggression, called it a “grave mistake” that will not go unpunished.
Pakistan armed forces down 29 Indian drones
Pakistan military’s media wing, ISPR, on Thursday said that Pakistan’s Armed Forces have successfully shot down 29 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones launched from India, using both soft-kill (technical) and hard-kill (weapons) measures.
According to ISPR, India resorted to these drone attacks in a state of panic following the destruction of five of its modern aircraft, drones, multiple posts, and casualties in its ranks during its cowardly assault on May 6–7.
“So far, 29 Israel-made Harop drones have been shot down by Pakistan’s Armed Forces’ soft kill (technical) and hard kill (weapons) measures,” a statement issued by the ISPR said.
The ISPR said that after Pakistan brought down five modern fighter aircraft and drones and destroyed several posts, causing military casualties, India was attacking Pakistan with Israel-made Harop drones in panic.
“This cowardly attack is a sign of India’s panic and anxiety. India has also suffered and is suffering heavy losses on the Line of Control. Wreckage of Israel-made Harop drones is being recovered from various areas of Pakistan. Pakistan forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy and are destroying all his intentions,” the statement read.
